Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 13

EPISODE 13

Capisce

INT. INSIDE THE CAR- MORNING

Sitting in the owner’s corner, Imade look at the window as her driver drives her through the streets of Moniya which compared to years ago is developed. The street now looking cleaner with so many skyscrapers built along the road.

People Imade see walking along the road are either in suit or gown looking official as they go about their work. It is like New York Wallstreet but on Ibadan. Few minutes later, the car slowly halt and then seconds later, the car moves as it drives into KINGS Corp. on the way inside, a large platinum sign of KINGS Corp is displayed at the entrance as the car deeper into the corporation

The car passes through different elite buildings before it slowly goes down underground. Few minutes later, the car halt in front of an elevator.

The security man in suit sitting next to the driver come down and opens the door for Imade. She alights the car looking as radiant as ever. With her designer bag, she walks elegantly towards the elevator with her six inches heel clanking the floor. She walks pass LEVI, her young female PA and the security men in suit who bows to her. She walks to the front of the elevator which has the sign for the CEO only plastered on top of it.

Levi quickly press the button and Imade steps in with Levi right after her the moment the elevator door opens. The suited men bows to her as the door closes

IMADE

Have you seen my husband today?

LEVI

No, ma’am

Imade sighs lightly and wait patiently for the door to open. Seconds later, the door opens at floor 24 to a very quiet lobby. As she walk through the halfway, she passes an office with a label, Director of Production. The secretary stands up immediately and bows, Imade ignores her and moves on. She gets to the front of the office with the label Chief Operation Officer and opens the door. At the three secretaries inside all stands up immediately and greets her

IMADE

Is my husband in?

IST SECRETARY

No, ma’am, he is not coming in today

IMADE

(With a scrunched face) what?

1ST SECRETARY

He had us clear out his schedule as always

IMADE

As always? Like this has happen before

2ND SECRETARY

Every year, ma’am

IMADE

(Puzzled) Every year?

1ST SECRETARY

Yes, every year on this day

IMADE

You clear out his schedule every year on this day

The Secretaries nods their head quickly

IMADE

Where does he go and what does he do?

1ST SECRETARY

We have no idea

Imade looks around contemplating, then she hurriedly leaves the office and goes back the way she came to the first office she passed, the office of the Director of Production. The secretary maiming the office stands the moment she sees Imade and says her greetings

IMADE

Where is your boss?

SECRETARY

She is not available at the moment

IMADE

Is she in the building?

SECRETARY

No, ma’am

Imade leaves the office again and walks towards the elevator with Levi running after her. On getting to the elevator

IMADE

Next floor

Levi presses 23 on the wall and few seconds later, the door opens wide to another floor. Stepping inside, the first thing Imade sees is the big sign, KINGS FASHION plastered on the wall. The floor looking almost alike with the floor she left only with more cubicles than large offices and it has more employee walking around compared to the other.

Imade walks through the halfway ignoring the employees who leaves whatever they are doing to greet as she passes. Then she get another office with a secretary sitting behind her table

IMADE

Where is your boss?

The secretary who didn’t see Imade walk up to her immediately jumps up on her feet the moment she hears her voice

SECRETARY

Good morning, ma’am, I am so sorry

IMADE

Your boss?

SECRETARY

She is in a meeting at the conference room

Imade immediately walks back the way she came and on her way back, she looks into a large room covered with transparent and sees some employees all gathered together talking and taking notes. She opens the door to the conference room and everyone in attendance all raises to their feet.

Imade ignoring then again looks around and sees Mama Ruka at the helm of the table. With a look of bafflement, Mama Ruka stands up

MAMA RUKA

Ms. King

Imade signals to her with her hand to come and then she walks out and waits for Mama Ruka. Seconds later, Mama Ruka comes out now looking worried

MAMA RUKA

Is everything okay?

IMADE

(Panics) I ju… ju… just

She holds her chest and tries to talk through her episode, Mama Ruka reaches out to her and holds her

MAMA RUKA

Imade, calm down, what is the problem?

IMADE

(Relaxing) I just went to Wemimo’s office and his secretary told me he is not around, actually, he is never around on his day

MAMA RUKA

That is true

IMADE

(Getting worked up) What is it about this day that makes him go MIA, I have been calling him since and his phone is switched off

Mama Ruka holds her hand

MAMA RUKA

Imade, calm down, Wemimo is okay

Imade tries to calm herself

IMADE

(In a soft tone) It is just that in my fourteen years of marriage to him, there has never been a time that his phone is switched off and then calling him today… hearing that voice tell me his phone is switched off got me worried

MAMA RUKA

He is okay, it is just today

IMADE

What is it about today that makes him abandon everything?

MAMA RUKA

(Surprised) don’t you remember what today is?

IMADE

(Baffled) What is it about today?

MAMA RUKA

It is Wemi’s anniversary, don’t you remember?

IMADE

Of course, I do

MAMA RUKA

Wemimo does not come to work today

IMADE

(Looking startled) Why?

MAMA RUKA

Maybe it is his way of grieving, maybe remembering him

Tears starts to sprout in her eyes but she uses her finger to clean it before it flows down her eyes

IMADE

(In a low voice) How long has this been going on?

MAMA RUKA

Since Wemi died

IMADE

I thought I was the only one grieving

MAMA RUKA

No, you are not alone. Each time it gets to this time of the year, it is always hard for him. He just covers it up

IMADE

Why was I not aware of this?

MAMA RUKA

That is because each time it gets closer to his memorial, you disappear too. While he is no show for a day, yours can take…

IMADE

Yes, I know… now I know the reason why I got the surprise looks from the nannies this morning

MAMA RUKA

Yeah, I was coming to that. Why are you out? Are you okay?

IMADE

I am fine, where does he go anyway?

MAMA RUKA

I have no idea

Bringing out her phone

IMADE

Ann will know

MAMA RUKA

I highly doubt it

Imade dials Ann’s number anyway, then she sighs in disappointment seconds late

IMADE

Switched off… Aunty Bebii will know

MAMA RUKA

(Looks at her wristwatch) Bebii will probably be on the plane to South Africa at the moment and even if she can receive your call, I am sure she has no idea too

IMADE

Then I will call Aperry

MAMA RUKA

Imade, no one knows where Wemimo goes on a day like today every year and that is probably because he wants his privacy, how about you give it to him, the way he gave it to you

IMADE

So what? Am I suppose to just wait for him to come back

MAMA RUKA

Yes, you should do that

IMADE

What if something happens to him?

MAMA RUKA

He always come back, doesn’t he?

IMADE

Fine

Imade walks away with her PA behind towards the elevator

MAMA RUKA

Ms. King

Imade turns back and sees Mama Ruka walking towards her

MAMA RUKA

You are yet to sign off on this year’s summer collection

IMADE

Oh! That is true… give it to her (Points to her) and I will work on it

Imade takes few steps closer to the elevator

MAMA RUKA

All you just need to do is sign it

IMADE

You know I need to inspect it

She presses a button on the wall and the door opens. Imade steps in with her PA. Mama Ruka places her hand on the door to prevent it from closing

MAMA RUKA

Imade, those designs are top notch, you don’t have to inspect

IMADE

I won’t send designs with my approval to production without inspecting them

MAMA RUKA

I know but we are on a clock here, we don’t time for you to go through every designs. We already shown the designs to Wemimo and he gave hi…

IMADE

(In annoyance) It is Mr King

MAMA RUKA

What?

IMADE

When it is work related you call him Mr King or better still, the COO

MAMA RUKA

I am sorry, Mr King already went…

IMADE

And when did he become a designer?

MAMA RUKA

What?

IMADE

Mr King, did he suddenly develop designing skill that I am not aware of

MAMA RUKA

Mr King said th…

IMADE

The last I checked, I am the Chief Designer and I am the only one who gives approval to what goes into production

MAMA RUKA

I understand where you are coming from but we are on a tight sc…

IMADE

It is not your job to understand where I am coming from, it is your job to do what I say… When it comes to shoes, bag or lingerie, I don’t interfere because it is your jurisdiction. When it comes to clothes, don’t interfere

MAMA RUKA

I am sorry

IMADE

So, you are going to send the catalogue to my PA and I will go through it. You will get it when I am done, capisce?

MAMA RUKA

(Resigned) Capisce

Mama Ruka removes her hand from the elevator and it closes. Imade tries her husband’s number but gets the same automated voice, she groans in disappointment. Few minutes later, she enters her car, waves to the PA who bows to her and fasten her seatbelt

IMADE

Sister Agnes’s hospital, please

DRIVER

Yes, Ma’am

The driver then drives out of the basement

Next on Why?

SISTER ELIZABETH

Please don’t tell me you still do that

IMADE

Do what?

SISTER ELIZABETH

Lock yourself in a room, doing nothing but just crying. I thought you would have changed, at least with the birth of your girls